Embodiments herein include systems and methods for forming meat products into chunks. In an embodiment, a system for producing irregular shredded meat pieces from a meat log is included. The system can include a conveying mechanism, a first rotational shredding shaft positioned adjacent to the conveying mechanism, a first plurality of shredding fingers connected to the first rotational shredding shaft, a second rotational shredding shaft positioned adjacent to the conveying mechanism, and a second plurality of shredding fingers connected to the second rotational shredding shaft. The first and second rotation shredding shafts configured to rotate in directions opposite from one another. In some embodiments, the system can also include a cutting blade disposed downstream from the first and second rotational shredding shafts. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Methods of reducing surface microbial contamination of a poultry carcass comprising subjecting the poultry carcass which has previously been scalded and de-feathered to hot water of between 50 C. and 95 C. for between 1 second and 120 seconds; and related apparatus.

A method of enhancing the growth of an animal is provided. The method includes causing the animal to ingest or absorb an effective amount of one or more Fe III complex compounds, including but not limited to Fe III complexes comprising ligands bound to the iron centre selected from amino acids or ?-hydroxy acids, o-hydroxy benzoic acids or pyridine-2-carboxylic acids, such as ferric quinate, ferric tyrosine, ferric DOPA and ferric phenylalanine. Compounds which are structural and/or functional variants, derivatives and/or analogs of the foregoing compounds, as further described herein are also disclosed. Methods for inhibiting, reducing, or preventing biofilm formation or buildup on a surface; the treatment of, inhibition of growth of, and inhibition of colonization by, bacteria, both in biological and non-biological environments; disinfecting surfaces, potentiating the effects of antibiotics and other anti-microbial agents, and increasing the sensitivity of bacteria and other microorganisms, to anti-microbial agents are also provided.

A method of enhancing the growth of an animal is provided. The method includes causing the animal to ingest or absorb an effective amount of one or more Fe III complex compounds, including but not limited to Fe III complexes comprising ligands bound to the iron centre selected from amino acids or ?-hydroxy acids, o-hydroxy benzoic acids or pyridine-2-carboxylic acids, such as ferric quinate, ferric tyrosine, ferric DOPA and ferric phenylalanine. Compounds which are structural and/or functional variants, derivatives and/or analogs of the foregoing compounds, as further described herein are also disclosed. Methods for inhibiting, reducing, or preventing biofilm formation or buildup on a surface; the treatment of, inhibition of growth of, and inhibition of colonization by, bacteria, both in biological and non-biological environments; disinfecting surfaces, potentiating the effects of antibiotics and other anti-microbial agents, and increasing the sensitivity of bacteria and other microorganisms, to anti-microbial agents are also provided.

Provided are foodstuff treatment systems that are convertible between a processing mode in which foodstuffs are processed (e.g., disinfected) and a clean-in-place mode in which the system operates to clean material (e.g., biological buildup) that has accumulated within the system.

A pre-rendering system and method includes grinding limed cattle hide fleshings. The ground, limed cattle hide fleshings may then be de-limed using one or more acids or acidic solutions and then may be neutralized using one or more acids. Once the cattle hide fleshings have been de-limed and neutralized, they may be washed and then dried to prepare edible meat, such as for pet food or other animal feed, that may be rendered.

A pre-rendering system and method includes grinding limed cattle hide fleshings. The ground, limed cattle hide fleshings may then be de-limed using one or more acids or acidic solutions and then may be neutralized using one or more acids. Once the cattle hide fleshings have been de-limed and neutralized, they may be washed and then dried to prepare edible meat, such as for pet food or other animal feed, that may be rendered.

A method of enhancing the growth of an animal is provided. The method includes causing the animal to ingest or absorb an effective amount of one or more Fe III complex compounds, including but not limited to Fe III complexes comprising ligands bound to the iron centre selected from amino acids or ?-hydroxy acids, o-hydroxy benzoic acids or pyridine-2-carboxylic acids, such as ferric quinate, ferric tyrosine, ferric DOPA and ferric phenylalanine. Compounds which are structural and/or functional variants, derivatives and/or analogs of the foregoing compounds, as further described herein are also disclosed. Methods for inhibiting, reducing, or preventing biofilm formation or buildup on a surface; the treatment of, inhibition of growth of, and inhibition of colonization by, bacteria, both in biological and non-biological environments; disinfecting surfaces, potentiating the effects of antibiotics and other anti-microbial agents, and increasing the sensitivity of bacteria and other microorganisms, to anti-microbial agents are also provided.

A method of enhancing the growth of an animal is provided. The method includes causing the animal to ingest or absorb an effective amount of one or more Fe III complex compounds, including but not limited to Fe III complexes comprising ligands bound to the iron centre selected from amino acids or ?-hydroxy acids, o-hydroxy benzoic acids or pyridine-2-carboxylic acids, such as ferric quinate, ferric tyrosine, ferric DOPA and ferric phenylalanine. Compounds which are structural and/or functional variants, derivatives and/or analogs of the foregoing compounds, as further described herein are also disclosed. Methods for inhibiting, reducing, or preventing biofilm formation or buildup on a surface; the treatment of, inhibition of growth of, and inhibition of colonization by, bacteria, both in biological and non-biological environments; disinfecting surfaces, potentiating the effects of antibiotics and other anti-microbial agents, and increasing the sensitivity of bacteria and other microorganisms, to anti-microbial agents are also provided.

Embodiments herein include systems and methods for forming meat products into chunks. In an embodiment, a system for producing irregular shredded meat pieces from a meat log is included. The system can include a conveying mechanism, a first rotational shredding shaft positioned adjacent to the conveying mechanism, a first plurality of shredding fingers connected to the first rotational shredding shaft, a second rotational shredding shaft positioned adjacent to the conveying mechanism, and a second plurality of shredding fingers connected to the second rotational shredding shaft. The first and second rotation shredding shafts configured to rotate in directions opposite from one another. In some embodiments, the system can also include a cutting blade disposed downstream from the first and second rotational shredding shafts. Other embodiments are also included herein.